Jake Paul will not be facing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for a regional WBA title, but could still land a shot at a WBA ranking.
Worldboxingnews.com first reported Paul vs Chavez Jr. on April 15, two days before the event was widely reported. WBN predicted that a WBA belt would be added to the clash, but that wasn’t the case, as only a ten-rounder could be agreed.
However, if Paul overcomes Chavez on June 28, World Boxing News understands that the YouTuber will be ranked in the WBA top fifteen.
Paul [11-1, 7 KOs] is pushing the WBA to place him for a crack at cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez in what looks to be a career suicide mission if secured. Therefore, WBA chiefs will look favorably on Paul if he can defeat the aged former WBC middleweight ruler this summer.
Chávez Jr. [54-6-1, 34 KOs] is a decade past his best and perfect fodder for Paul, which WBN reported months ago. Now, the fight is finally set for the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Paul vs. Chávez Jr. will polarize fans in its very nature.
The event is a premeditated attempt to push Paul for a bona fide world title, possibly even for a vacant “regular” title in 2026. And despite adding ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who is defending his recognized WBA cruiserweight championship in the co-main event against Yuniel Dorticos, Paul is thought to have no intention of facing someone as dangerous as the Mexican boxer.
Instead, beating a fighter far past his expiration date in Chavez Jr. is an easier path to pushing for the vacant secondary title.
Paul and Chavez collide over three-minute rounds wearing ten-ounce gloves, with the bout contested at the full cruiserweight limit. The clash comes months after Paul defeated a 58-year-old Mike Tyson, who could hardly throw a punch, via unanimous decision.
Discussing the fight, Paul said he will achieve a feat that Canelo Alvarez couldn’t when he went the distance with Chavez in 2017.
“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion,” said Paul.
“I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish.
“Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters.
“On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has.
“Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”
DAZN will broadcast Paul vs. Chavez Jr. despite Netflix streaming the Mike Tyson fight in November. DAZN’s Jared Kass was happy to take the fight on.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jake Paul back to DAZN against a championship-caliber opponent in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr,” said Kass, surely with his tongue in his cheek on the last comment on the former world champion.
“We are grateful to our partners at MVP and Golden Boy for delivering an unmissable night of action from start to finish. So tune in Saturday, June 28, only on DAZN.”
Sign up for the WBN Newsletter for free and get daily news directly in your email. Never miss a story.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.
